A Cape Gannet (Morus capensis) flies in a blue sky of the coast near Port St Johns in the Wild Coast region of South Africa. These are the primary aerial predators on the famous Sardine Run, dive bombing the sardine baitballs to catch fish.
These marine birds are native only to Africa, and are easily identified by their large size and black and white plumage which is noticeably silky, giving them a graceful appearance. The distinctive golden crown and nape which gradually become white on the neck are also distinctive, as well as the awkward take off motion from the water where they literally run across the water to get airborne.